Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Happy Birthday Laura



Happy Birthday Laura!!



We had the best time celebrating Laura's first birthday at the Cracker Barrel in Elkin. Awesome.


We were so glad to have Granny Foda with us!


And Granny Marie!


The vibrating lamb from Riley was a hit!


And there was cake!!


Before the party Matt's mom watched both girls for us so we could got to the 76th annual Fiddler's Convention in Galax, Va! So fun!!


Camping and fair food and great blue grass music. It was my first night away from baby Laura. I really wasn't even that sad. I just know she is so well taken care of at her Oma's and I am so glad to finally be done nursing- woo hoo!


Sweet Rebecca!


Here she is at Laura's birthday. So silly!


Friday was Rebecca's graduation program. So cute!! Her class recited poems and sang several songs. The other night I was putting her to bed and she made up a song for me to the tune of "Where is Thumbkin". Where is Mama? Where is Mama? There she are. There she are. She is really creepy, she is really creepy. Quack, quack, quack. Quack, quack, quack. Hilarious! I'd wondered where she'd learned the word creepy and one of the poems was about bugs. Creepy. Rebecca will move up to the 3 year old classroom on Monday. Big girl!


Two big girls!

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Pirates and Princesses


Laura! Pretty girl.


Here she is after discovering the bowl of ice cream Rebecca had finished.


She is definitely a good eater. I've kind of been working on sign language with her and she'll clap her hands for more and wave them in the air for all done, which I think she thinks just means mama pick me up. She can blow kisses but will never perform on command and has started saying mama and dada. Legit. She has also started standing up. But only when she's on something soft and can just fall over without taking any real steps.


Cake pops! Matt went out of town last weekend on a bachelor party and took Rebecca to Starbucks on Friday before school. She loved it!


We had fun here. This is a cute picture but the sprinkler fun lasted about one minute. Rebecca just wasn't that interested. On Saturday we went up to Elkin to visit with Oma and spontaneously decided to spend the night. I'm so glad we did! It was really fun. We went to dinner at Speedy Chef and when we were done I cleared our table. Rebecca picked up her cup and put it in the trash on her own. Oma said good job Rebecca! So she turned around took a bow. I mean, what else would you do when someone gives you a compliment? Also when I was clearing our table I apparently had not clean up quite as good as I thought I did. We were about half way through the parking lot before I realized Laura had a hamburger patty in her hand and was still eating it. Have I mentioned the fact that I have a good eater?


Sidewalk chalk fun!


Rebecca was so proud of her art. Here she is before school one morning showing off her new dress from Grandma and Pops (which she loves!) and had to be sure our artwork was also in the picture. They were talking about India at school last week and Rebecca has learned how to put her hands together, bow her head and say "Namaste" to say hello. It is so cute!


This week included a visit to the dentist. Rebecca loves the dentist! The waiting room is like the children's museum and when you go back for your cleaning you go into a big open room with several flat benches where the kids get their teeth cleaned. There are video games and toys back there. It's not scary at all. I'm glad we've found such a fun pediatric dentist.


Pirates and Princesses!! Yesterday I got to take Rebecca to a Disney show- Sofia the First and Jake and Neverland Pirates. We had a really good time! Cotton candy was 12 dollars. Ridiculous. But it was really cool. Just lots of singing and dancing and colorful costumes.


Before the show I took Rebecca and Laura to Chick Fil A by myself. The one by our house has mom's valet where you can drive through the drive-through to place your order then everything will be set up for you when you come inside- highchair and all. It's awesome.


Cousins! Rebecca got to spend the day with her cousins swimming at Granny Marie's. Matt and Laura and I met everyone for supper at Oma's new place. Yes, this is really the best picture I got. Mandy, Camden and Alison go back to Texas on Tuesday and we are so sad to see them go. Rebecca has loved spending time with her cousins!


So fun! And there was ice cream.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Beach


Rebecca!


We spent last weekend with the Anders at Emerald Isle. It was Laura's first beach trip. So much fun! It's even more special because she got to spend it with her future husband, Charlie.


Robin's parents have a house on the bay. It was beautiful!


Matt and Charlie- two cuties!


This is the only picture I got of Will. He's releasing a turtle we found back into the wild.


We had an awesome day at the beach and as I was putting Rebecca to bed I asked her what her favorite part of the day was. She said riding the golf cart.


Naked baby! From Emerald Isle we drove down to Myrtle Beach to spend the next two days with Matt's family. So much fun!!


Baby Riley! All the cousins were there but I didn't get any pictures with Camden and Alison the entire time we were down there.


Our little fish. We spent a lot of time at the pool. Rebecca loved it as long as we kept her face dry.


Here we all are at dinner. All the kids did great. We went super early so we didn't have to wait. This is key.


Thanks you Will and Robin and thank you Jane! We can't wait to go back!!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Parkway


Sweet Laura!


We went for a walk the other day. This pretty much represents every picture I ever take.


Oh, you're trying to get a picture of my sister? Let me just get in there. Photo bomber.


Rebecca then handed me this and told me I could have the rest. She's so generous.


Laura learned to turn the water on in the sink. So proud of herself! I guess she's done keeping me company in there while I get ready. She's also getting way too big for her baby bathe tub but it's so nice to be able to bath her in the sink in the kitchen right after we eat while Rebecca plays in the den. I'm not giving it up. She moved up to the next classroom at school last week! She is doing great- I think she's enjoying all of the activity in there. She seems so big to me! She is pulling up on furniture and cruising around. She is into everything and already wants to do whatever her sister is doing. Her emotions seem more intense to me than Rebecca's as a baby. I don't know if it's because Rebecca had my undivided attention or is just more laid back. Probably a combination of the two but Laura will laugh and laugh when she is happy and scream and scream when she is mad. I have a feeling the terrible twos are going to be super fun with this one.


Last weekend we met Matt's family for a picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was so much fun! Mandy and her kids are visiting and we were so excited to see them!


Rebecca and Camden. I love this picture. The way they are sitting- they just look like little mini adults to me.


And Rebecca and Alison- so sweet!


Saturday, July 13, 2013

Sarah's Wedding


Rebecca! Enjoying the pool at the Holiday Inn


Last weekend was Cousin Sarah's wedding! On the top of Bent Mountain- it was beautiful!!


So fun to see all the cousins! I wish I had gotten more pictures but my phone died before the ceremony even began. Sarah was such a beautiful bride and we are so happy for her and Chad!


So great to get to spend the weekend with Grandma and Pops!! So fun to see my mom three weekends in a row!


Happy 4th of July!!


Yes, we spent the 4th eating Mexican food in regular colored clothes.


Those teeth! It does feel slightly unamerican but it is such a busy time of work for me with quarter end. July 3rd is also our wedding anniversary which we are celebrating tonight with a make-up dinner date. Can't wait!


In other exciting news we are getting a living room, dining room, front hallway make over! I'll put up pictures when it's done but here's a sneak peak of our new entertainment center. Matt may be getting a new TV- haha


Hiding!

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Blacksburg


Laura!


She is so cute and so funny! Those huge teeth just make everything hilarious. And she is dancing even more these days. She loves music and will dance whenever she hears anything with a beat.


Laura and Grandma! We spent the weekend in Blacksburg visiting with my mom and granny. It was so much fun!


The weather was so nice. We got to go to the most awesome caboose park on Saturday and Sunday.


Uncle John came over for super on Saturday and we had the best time playing Rebecca's versions of Mother May I and Simon Says. Basically Rebecca tells everyone what to and they do it.


Here is Rebecca showing off her super strength. It was circus week at school. So fun!


Daddy's girl! Matt packed a picnic for us so we could stop on the way Blacksburg at the New River Shot Tower Park.


Sleepover!